Ken Ralph Named New UMaine AD

The University of Maine has a new athletic director and he is New Hampshire native Ken Ralph. He comes to Orono from Colorado College where he has been AD there for the past 11 years.

UMaine says his hiring is effective September 1st.

A 12-member search committee looked nationwide for a replacement for Karlton Creech. He left UMaine to become athletic director at the University of Denver in Colorado.

Jim Settele has served as Maine's interim AD.

Ralph is from Salem, New Hampshire. Before getting into administration, Ralph coached college swimming for 12 years. He has been an athletic director at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) for six years and then at CC for 11 years.

Quotes from UMaine release...

"I am honored to join Dr. Ferrini-Mundy's leadership team at the University of Maine," says Ralph. "I'd like to thank Dr. Dana and the entire search committee for their support and encouragement throughout the process. I firmly believe in the strength of the Maine Athletics brand, and I am looking forward to working with the students, faculty and staff at the university as we take an already vibrant program to the next level."